fire safety Flashcards
who would you call in the event of a known/suspected fire?
999 or 2222
what information would you provide to fire emergency services?
Site; QUEH
Address; Govan, G81…
Building; adults, children’s, maternity, etc.
Floor level, e.g. Ward 5D
Whether fire is present or suspected
two-stage alarm systems;
common in larger buildings;
continuous alarm
- if you hear this, the evacuation procedure should be started by the person in charge
intermittent alarm
- heard in adjacent areas, which tells us to prepare for evacuation and listen out for a continuous alarm, an intermittent fire alarm procedure should be started
primary evacuation aims;
- remove everyone from immediate danger
- keep travel distances to a minimum
- avoid routes used by fire fighters
what is progressive, horizontal evacuation
when patients are moved from an area that may be affected by fire to a safer adjacent area, and remain behind the fire until it is safe to move or if necessary to do so. patients are moved progressively along the same level until they can go no further and then they must go down stairs
what happens once patients have been moved from danger of the fire?
they must be moved to an assembly point; a pre-arranged safety point. each individual’s mobility needs must be taken into consideration at this point, as not everyone will be able to mobilise quickly and/or themselves and so aids may be required, e.g. bed slides.
what should you never do in a fire evacuation?
- open a door if you can see mistake coming from beneath or around it]
- attempt to collect personal property
- run, push, overtake people (will cause injury and prolong evacuation)
- take the lift
what is a temporary waiting space/escape refuge lobby/stairway?
an area where those with mobility limitations must be taken to during a fire evacuation. there may not be one in your area, but if there is, they provide a safe waiting area which provides an effective barrier via the doors (only if fully closed) between those within the area and the surrounding fire and fumes
two additional responsibilities you may have in a fire evacuation?
- shutting of the gas valves (designated staff member will know who this is)
- safe transfer of medical notes, necessary medication, equipment, e.g. crutches, etc.
what should you do with windows during a fire evacuation?
close them.
opening windows during a fire can increase oxygen in the ambient air which will fuel the fire, increase heat and the rate of its spread. only open a window if its your escape.
once a fire evacuation begins?
- find all patients by checking all areas if safe to do so and attempt to evacuate everyone
- close all doors and windows after you have cleared an area to slow down the fire spreading
- roll call of all staff and patients
- get as low as possible if you must move through a smoke filled area, which will prevent unconsciousness
thee methods of evaluation;
1- walk; patients who can do so should walk to safety
2- wheel; patients who cannot walk should be wheeled to safety via their bed or wheelchair
3- slide; if the above options are not possible, e.g. needing to go down stairs, equipment can be used to do this, such as bed straps that allow patients on their mattress to be slid down stairs by staff
toaster tips;
toasters should never;
- be left unattended when in use
- be placed near smoke detectors
- be placed directly under cabinets/cupboards
fire extinguishers
these only contain limited amounts of fire-fighting agent and should therefore only be used on a fire during its early stages;
Foam extinguisher
CO2 extinguisher
Water extinguisher
